Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer

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No sign of Chris Johnson and Chaz Schilens as the Raiders went through their warmups and drills Friday, with everyone else presented and accounted for.

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wheres waldo has become WHERE’S WALTER?

Walter Mac hasn’t been on the injury report for 3 or 4 weeks, but I haven’t seen him on gameday, have you guys?

RaiderRockstar

Have you noticed how QB’s roll out and hit the TE or RB for a gain of 6 to 8 yards each time?

KC did it with Cassel & Moeaki. Pitt did it with Ben & Miller … works EVERY time

I’m sure Henne will be looking to do it with Fasano as well. John Marshall needs to fix this, because if we double Gates every play and they roll Rivers out with that same pattern and hit a speedster like Sproles it could be a disaster (in a few weeks)

http://atm Raider O

RR,

Usually TEs are OLB (SAM) responsibility, and that’s exactly what I’m saying. Our OLBs are not 4-3 LBs and can’t cover or keep us with speed. I think we need to move Wimbley to WLB, and we need to improve our SAM position.

RaiderRockstar

I think we need to move Wimbley to WLB

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what about your boy Howard or Sam Williams?

Groves & Scott at WLB weren’t great in coverage, you wont hear me make a case for that!

It seems like Brown & Goethel have become the relief guys for McClain & Groves. Not sure who would back up SLB if Wimbley went down?

http://atm Raider O

Goethel should get a chance at SAM, if he plays well, then we only need to upgrade the CB position. I hope McFadden can be great, but we need to add another CB regardless. Nnamdi is not getting any younger, and he will demand a huge salary. Routt and CJ are below AVG. We need a CB who can cover, gets INTs, and can play man 99% of snaps.

YoungAmerican

It’s a byproduct of playing all man-to-man coverage. Very few LBs can stay manned up on running backs all day. So when the QB’s first read isn’t there, the safe bet is that there’s going to be a running back wide open in the flat.

This is why A) the Raiders need to use a 5-man pass rush with Wimbley more often, and B) why Mike Mitchell has been an asset on third downs, and should probably always be on the field in obvious passing situations.

YoungAmerican

No pressure on the QB = more time for RBs to use their speed to get around coverage linebackers

http://atm Raider O

RR,

TH and Brown are one dimensional. One can cover but don’t stop the run, and the other guy can help against the run but can’t cover.
Groves and S Williams are STs players and situational guys.

El Tato

I think we will see Goethel start at WLB instead of Groves at some point this season.

YoungAmerican

Goethel was clearly overwhelmed against the Steelers, which should be expected after not playing since the preseason. Hopefully he gets up to speed soon, because the Raiders coaching staff had been very high on him.

http://atm Raider O

I agree. Goethel will start before the season ends.

El Tato

I dont think I have seen Groves going after the QB much, he was a very good pass rusher in College, and he has the speed.

Just Fire Baby

Was not impressed with Goethel’s few plays last week.

Not that he didn’t make a play or anything, he just looked small and slow on the field.

I have been a little disappointed in McClain’s play a little bit, and I was a huge proponent of drafting him.

He is a very sure and solid tackler, but he just hasn’t had any of those WOW moments that 1st round picks usually have.

I will still stay patient however, and I think at worst he will be a Greg Biekert type player. Keep in mind he won’t even be 22 years old at the start of NEXT YEARS training camp.

http://atm Raider O

I ageee Vegas. He did look slow. Not your typical Raider.

YoungAmerican

It’s just nice to see that McClain is a wrap-up tackler, honestly. I agree that there haven’t been any “WOW” moments, but it’s good to know he’s not one of those guys who tries to tackle with his shoulder, only to find out that cute s**t doesn’t work at the next level.

El Tato

McClain has been OK, but he is a 3-4 ILB to me, he lacks some speed.

In fact, almost every player we have in defense are 3-4 guys.

Seymour, Kelly and Houston can play 3-4 DE.

Scott, Wimbley and Groves are undersized DE who I think could be better as 3-4 pass rushing OLBs.

McClain was a 3-4 ILB in college, while Ricky Brown and Goethel played inside in college too.

OAKlifer

He is a very sure and solid tackler, but he just hasn’t had any of those WOW moments that 1st round picks usually have.

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Not even the week three bodyslam conts? LOL

http://atm Raider O

I think McClain is smart, has great size, and above avg speed. I think he will be a great MLB. Not to make excuses, but he is a rookie, and he needs more help from the Defense. He also helps other guys get open by demanding attention the entire game.

http://atm Raider O

Oak,

I loved the bodyslam, and the one hand tackle next to the sideline. Strong Dude!

Just Fire Baby

Big day for collegiate QB’s today.

Cam Newton against a big time defense. His biggest moment in his career, and a huge game will all but assure a first round pick next year.

The McElroy kid at QB for Alabama needs to play well to add to his resume to try to get drafted.

Kapernick needs to play real well throwing the ball if he has hopes of being taken seriously as a QB and not get drafted in the 6th round as a WR.

Kellen Moore, no pass D at UNR, so he should throw for 400 yards and 5 TD’s and maybe bolster his Heisman potential. Not sure of his pro-prospects, seems kind of frail and noodle-armed but he could do some wonders for himself tonight.

Better day for football today than yesterday.

http://atm Raider O

Great chat guys, but I have to go.
It was nice chatting with you Oak. Keep up the good work here and in Oregon.

Later Gents.

RaiderRockstar

Goethel should get a chance at SAM

I think we will see Goethel start at WLB instead of Groves at some point this season.

Goethel was clearly overwhelmed against the Steelers, which should be expected after not playing since the preseason. Hopefully he gets up to speed soon, because the Raiders coaching staff had been very high on him.

I agree. Goethel will start before the season ends.

Was not impressed with Goethel’s few plays last week.

Not that he didn’t make a play or anything, he just looked small and slow on the field.

Not a “off the bus” type of Raider player at all.

He did look slow. Not your typical Raider.

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Interesting comments

seems to be mixed reviews about the guy, which is normal I guess since we know very little about him up to this point. He’s not known for his speed or coverage ability, but I know the staff loved him up until his injury. Cable called him a downhill player – and thats not something I’m not ready to say ROMAC is

McClain = Danny Clark
Goethel = Greg Biekert

YoungAmerican

I’m starting to like what I see from Nathan Enderle out of Idaho. Plays in a pro-style offense, decent arm, a bit of a risk-taker… They play Fresno State on Saturday so I’m going to try to watch that game.

Just Fire Baby

One thing about McCLain is that when he gets you in his sights, you go down and go down quickly.

Just too many moments were he gets real bottled up by a TE or FB so far. Again, he is a rookie and every rookie improves in this league, so that’s his area of improvement hopefully next year.

Hey a RG gets you bottled up, it happens. But McClain needs to smash on these FB’s and TE’s trying to block him.

ppleschamp030

Goethel was chasing a 4.3 mike wallace. any LB will look slow chasing him. mcclain is faster than what most people give him credit for.

El Tato

I hope Raiders scouts are watching the college QBs play, I think we need to find a QB now, Gradkowski is always injured and JC misses too many open guys, NFL is not fair, why we had to draft a black big burger and St Louis gets Bradford?

OAKlifer

Later O,

Thanks man!! Study hard go harder!

RaiderRockstar

I dont think I have seen Groves going after the QB much, he was a very good pass rusher in College, and he has the speed.

McClain has been OK, but he is a 3-4 ILB to me, he lacks some speed.

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El Tato bringing up some good points today

I don’t know if John Marshall is just a vanilla DC or if he’s being limited by the owner

Romac will be more than ok in this leauge I just thought he was more NFL ready than he is…

RaiderRockstar

Keep in mind he won’t even be 22 years old at the start of NEXT YEARS training camp

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JFB, interesting that somebody is already bringing up the age issue.

Isn’t that what all 3 JaMarcus Russell fans in here cling to? “He’s just 25 years old (24 when we released him) still plenty of time to mature and become a legit NFL QB. the talent sure is there!”

sorry to bring him up, especially if some of you were eating!

Just Fire Baby

Romac will be more than ok in this leauge I just thought he was more NFL ready than he is…

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Well said, my sentiments exactly.

And work on those hands Rolando!!! He has dropped three int’s this year where the ball hit all 10 fingers.

Guy

If you look up Romac on youtube, there are actually a few highlights. In those few, I saw him blow up 2 or 3 screens and made some plays behind the LOS, kind of sad of me huh?

OAKlifer

“Isn’t that what all 3 JaMarcus Russell fans in here cling to? “He’s just 25 years old ”

Not going to lie I jumped on the jrus bandwagon but i was SUPER pizzed we didnt take Megatron “cj” that day so that always had a negitive affect on the way I saw Jrus but man I wanted him to be good soooo badd it would be wrong of me to try to claim not to be one of those three…… but trust me I was off the wagon bout midway throu year 2!!

RaiderRockstar

Mike Singletary is probably going to get fired if they don’t finish better than 2nd in the NFC West.

I’d like to hire him on as Asst HC/LB Coach.

imagine somebody like that working with McClain instead of Mike Haluchek!

OAKlifer

Vegas that you???

RaiderRockstar

OAK,

yes. Vegas = JFB

He moved to NM to hustle the senior citizens there. stealing money from their 401k to apply on insurance premiums 😛

OAKlifer

JFB you ol dirty scammer!!! ODS!!!! its not stealing when they agree its more like acting!!!1

RaiderRockstar

I was off the wagon bout midway throu year 2

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I wasn’t pointing at you bro. I rooted for the Walrus for a while too. Who didn’t? Just Norco Bob maybe…

I’m talking about the Raider fans who STILL think even today that Jammy will make somethign of himself because the Dolphins & Redskins gave him a workout (and passed) LOL

El Tato

TD Alabama

OAKlifer

Mike Singletary is probably going to get fired if they don’t finish better than 2nd in the NFC West.

I’d like to hire him on as Asst HC/LB Coach.

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Wow would that be a huge change an assitant who would demand just as much if not more than our HC I wonder if Al likes his old school mentality I truly believe you are only as good as the people you surround yourself with!!!!!!!!!

http://www.aldavissucks.blogspot.com The Real MaddenRaider

El Tato Says:
November 26th, 2010 at 11:25 am

I hope Raiders scouts are watching the college QBs play,

………….

LOL. You think the Raiders refer to scouts?

OAKlifer

I hope Al was watching pregame wind sprints there are some fast players out there…

http://www.aflciodental.com/unions/IBEW.png The Real Ray

All wide receivers on the Raiders are available in my fantasy league…..who do I pick up off waivers?
Murphy or Ford? DHB is out of the equation!

OAKlifer

Man Bama is beating up on Auburn right now. this is Newtons first true test and he is failing. If Auburn loses and Both TCU and Boisie St win out who would you guys like to see play in the BCS title game??? Against oregon of course!!